I found this article by Alexa Kaczka extremely interesting.  This follows the pattern we’ve seen at Simon Eye Associates for years.  Someone has a visual issue, which they just learn to “live with” and they never get it checked out.  Often times they’ll come in when the problem is much more severe and could have been dealt with easily before.

Three-quarters of people who believe they have poor eyesight do not visit the optician to have their condition checked out, according to a new poll.  A survey carried out by Sight Care found that 75 per cent of people believe they have an issue with their eyesight which requires the attention of a professional but do not visit one, even though they suffer headaches as a result.  According to the poll, 45 percent of people would avoid wearing spectacles on a date and would instead opt for contact lenses or no optical aid, while 64 percent would not wear glasses on a night out.  Furthermore, 30 percent of people did not know where their nearest practice is, although 44 per cent said that they are happy with the service provided by their local independent optician.

Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Guess what? Summer is coming.  And that means sun.  Lots and lots of sun.  Make sure you protect yourself against sun damaged eyes.  This brief article by ContactLens.co.uk shows you exactly what I mean.

People who take precautions to protect their eyes during the spring and summer months will significantly reduce their chances of suffering from vision problems in later life, according to one expert.  Dr Elizabeth Baze, assistant professor of ophthalmology at BCM and deputy executive of the Eye Care Line at the Michael DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said that sun damage is a major cause of long-term eye damage.  She pointed out that people who take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves against the effects of the sun in the summer months, such as using sun block around the eyes, wearing hats and enhancing UV protection, will see the benefit.  “Ultraviolet light has certainly been linked to the development of macular degeneration, cataracts and other vision-loss problems. Practicing these measures can ensure for healthy fun in the sun,” Dr Baze said.

Her comments follow recent research carried out by Sight Care Group, which showed that many women are putting their eyesight at risk by not wearing glasses, because they fear spectacles will make them unattractive.

Before the sun really starts blasting your eyes, make sure you get a comprehensive eye exam from Simon Eye Associates.  An eye exam now can save you a lot of time and money later.  Eye exams can detect problems before they become an issue.  Call today 302-239-1933.

Protect Your Vision

Does reading in the dark damage your eyesight? Can eating carrots help to improve it? The College of Optometrists sheds light on some of the most common old wives’ tales

THERE are hundreds of health-related old wives’ tales and myths. In the age of the internet it can be very easy to research health conditions online and assume that the information you find is accurate, when this may not be the case. While some old wives’ tales may be grounded in truth, many are inaccurate and some could even damage your eyes.

Old wives’ tale: Reading in the dark or dim light will damage your eyes.

False – Reading in dim light or in the dark is highly unlikely to cause any permanent damage to your eyes, but it could cause eye strain which can be uncomfortable. Your eyes adjust to the light around them and your pupils enlarge in order to collect the most light. We are designed to see detail better in the light, as detail is imaged on the central area of the retina, which contains cone photoreceptors which need more light than the rod receptors in our peripheral retina. Although you will not harm yourself by reading in the dark, it is more difficult to see and may cause a headache.

Old wives’ tale: Contact lenses can get lost behind your eyes.

False – The membrane that covers the white of your eye (the conjunctiva) also lines your eyelids, so it is impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eyes.

Old wives’ tale: You can sleep in your contact lenses

True and false – Unless you have been told specifically by your optometrist that you can sleep in your contact lenses, you should avoid this. Your eyes need to breathe while wearing contact lenses, and this is more difficult when your eyes are closed. This – and the fact that when you are not blinking your contact lenses will not move on your eyes as much as when you are awake – can mean that you are at more risk of infection if you sleep in contact lenses. Always follow the guidelines given to you by your optometrist and if in doubt, take them out.

Old wives’ tale: Wearing someone else’s glasses may damage your eyes.

False – Although you may not be able to see very well with them and may get a headache or double vision, you won’t come to any harm from wearing glasses that are not your prescription (unless you’re driving a motor vehicle).

Old wives’ tale: Watching television too much or too closely will damage your eyes.

False – Watching too much television or sitting very close to it may make your eyes tired or give you a headache, particularly if you are watching in the dark when you are effectively looking at a moving light, like a torch. But it won’t cause any serious permanent damage.

Old wives’ tale: Exercising the eye muscles can allow you to throw away your glasses.

False – People normally need specs because of the shape and size of their eye. Exercises won’t help this.

Old wives’ tale: Not wearing your glasses will make you depend upon them less.

False – If you don’t wear your glasses you may become more accustomed to the blur and won’t remember how bad it is, and thereby think that your eyes have got better (when they haven’t).

Old wives’ tale: By looking at the patterns, colours and other characteristics of the iris you can tell what health problems a person has.

False – There is no scientific proof for this. However, when an optometrist carries out an eye examination they will not only test your sight, but will also check the health of your eyes and look for signs of some general health problems.

Old wives’ tale: Eating carrots will improve your eyesight.

Some truth – Carrots are a source of vitamin A, which is important for the eyes. However, before you embark on an all-carrot diet to improve your vision, note that it is more important for eye health to have a good balanced diet that supports your all-round health. Poor nutrition has been implicated in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Old wives’ tale: Using your eyes too much can wear them out.

False – They will last for your whole life if they are healthy (or have conditions that are treatable). The health of your eyes has nothing to do with the number of hours you use them.

Old wives’ tale: Holding books up close will damage a child’s eyes.

False – Where or how your child holds a book has no effect on the health of the eyes or the need for glasses.

Sometimes children find it more comfortable to read close-up and their very good focusing ability makes it easy for them to do so.

All content is copyright WalesOnline.co.uk

Q: At what age do you recommend someone starts using contact lenses?

A: For cosmetic purposes, Simon Eye Associates usually recommends contact lenses to those no younger than 12.  Wearing contact lenses is a responsibility.  There is work involved to keep them in proper order and that takes some maturity to do.  However, if there is a medical reason for contact lenses, we might be inclined to change our minds and recommend them to younger users.

Q: Are there any reasons why one wouldn’t be able to wear contact lenses?

A: Yes. Certain corneal conditions such as dry eye or history of infection are contraindications for contact lens wear. Certain work environments might not allow one to wear contact lenses.

Q: What types of contacts are available for me?

Rigid gas permeable (hard) and hydrogels (soft) are the two types of materials. There are contacts for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and those that require presbyopic correction (bifocals). There are also special contact lenses for those with irregular corneas (keratoconus, corneal transplants).

Q: What factors should people consider before deciding whether to get contacts? Or when deciding what type of contacts to get?

A: Factors to consider are:

• Responsibility to care and handle the contacts correctly.
• Can the contacts meet my visual demands?
• Environmental factors — Where I will be wearing them (dusty work environment, camping, etc.)?
• Is my eye healthy enough to wear contact lenses?

Q: How much work is involved with wearing contacts?

A: Care and handling only require a few minutes a day but are critical for maintaining healthy vision and eyes.

Contact Lenses

It is a beautiful day here in Wilmington, Delaware.  The sun is shining and there is just a slight breeze outside.  Tomorrow and this weekend are supposed to be even nicer.  With all this sun I know you’ll be breaking out your designer frames, ready for the fresh open air and sky.  And that’s good.  Besides looking good in your shades, you’ll also be blocking the Sun’s damaging UV rays.  But there’s more to be done.  At Simon Eye Associates, we have one recommendation for you.  Get your eyes checked now, rather than later.  Eye exams not only point out eyesight problems, but they can spot other health issues before they become a problem.

We want you to keep your eyes happy and healthy for the rest of your life.  And sure, maybe you don’t have a problem reading the newspaper in the morning, or that spreadsheet at work.  Good.  Eye exams will ensure that you never do have a problem.  Did you know that 50% of all cases of blindness or severe vision loss could have been prevented by early detection? Similarly, even if you have perfect vision, you are still at risk for developing glaucoma.  Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the US.

So before you pack your bags for the beach this weekend, remember to schedule your next eye exam.  This way you’ll be sure to enjoy all that there is to see this summer, with clear, beautiful vision.

Eye Exam - Simon Eye Associates

Did you know that Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world? Neither did I.  Until just now.  Glaucoma causes progressive damage to the optic nerve and eventually a loss of vision and total blindness.  What can you do if you have Glaucoma? Surely medicated eye drops would relieve some of the symptoms, but the problem is that the eye drop solution drips down out of your eyes and it then loses its effectiveness.  A Doctor working out of the University of Florida has devised a contact lens that provides long lasting, effective results using Vitamin E.

Vitamin E has been shown to be extremely beneficial to eyesight in most people. Taken orally, Vitamin E provides vital antioxidants and lubrication to the eyes.  But this Vitamin E, you don’t swallow.  This Vitamin E is inserted into a special contact lens.  The purpose is to make the drug molecules in the contact lens go around the Vitamin E and target the eye without streaming out like with eye drops.  These drugs are not able to penetrate Vitamin E and have no choice but to go around, thus hitting the eye.  The drug has a chance to stay in your eyes for 2-5 minutes with these contact lenses.

Glaucoma Contact Lenses

Being a techno-geek I was very intrigued when I read about a new iPhone App called Ocularis.  The App, created by PODD Media is said to improve the user’s eyesight and provide an educational experience at the same time.  The Eye Game, which tests and enhances the user’s optic abilities features three different games to choose from.  The first is called, Tap The Diff, where players are asked to identify the subtle differences between images.  Another game called, Camouflage Mania, has the user spot all the objects hidden in an image.  The third game entitled, The Color Challenge, checks for color blindness through the use of graphics provided by Ishihara.

There is also another component to the application, which is entitled Eye Facts.  This provides the user with various tid bits of information about the eyes, eye health, explanation of the parts of the eye and more.  All these tools can be  combined to help improve eyesight.

Apple now has well over 100,000 Apps in its arsenal.  This is just another one that is destined to help all of us lead more productive, informed lives.

iPhone App Ocularis

We all know the importance diet plays in our overall eye health.  That’s why I’m sharing this article from Adrian Galbraith.  It was written about 2 weeks ago during a celebration I had never heard of until recently.

International Omega-3 Day is being celebrated today (March 3rd) and its benefits for eyesight have been promoted.  Seafish, an authority on marine food, has said it is joining in the celebrations and pointed to research explored at a conference in January 2009, which asserted that the mixture of vitamins, minerals and long-chain fatty acids present in seafood can improve eyesight.  Some contact lens wearers may not be getting the benefits of seafood as one third of respondents to a survey carried out by Seafish said they manage to eat the recommended two portions of fish a week.

The organization said: “Seafood is one of the tastiest foods available and Omega-3 Day is the ideal opportunity to try some new seafood recipes and enjoy your two a week.” Meanwhile, contact lens wearers who use computers and other backlit screens often need to make sure they keep their eyes healthy to avoid problems with sight, leading optometrist and author Dr Jeffrey Anshel has warned.

Omega 3 and Eye Health

Many people are confused as to whether or not they are actually taking good care of their eyes.  What does that really mean? Well, now we’ve developed a short quiz to help you determine whether or not you know how to take care of your eyes and what you should be doing.  Take the following quiz and see how you do:

1. How often do you see your eye doctor for an eye exam?

1. Whenever I feel like it
2. When I can’t see as well as I could before
3. At least every two years
4. I don’t

2. Which food is the best source of Lutein, that incredibly eye-healthy nutrient

1. Kale
2. Potatoes
3. Carrots
4. McDonalds

3. Which of the following could damage your eyesight?

1. Staring at your computer screen all day
2. Smoking
3. Reading in dim light
4. Driving on the left side of the road

4. Which eye disease can cause 40% loss of sight before you even notice it?

1. Glaucoma
2. Cataracts
3. You’d notice anything wrong with your eyes
4. Pink eye

5. If you get an eye infection should you?

1. Go straight to the hospital or your eye doctor
2. Use natural, or organic eye drops
3. Just wait it out, it will get better
4. Have a nice cup of tea

6. You want new sunglasses. Do you?

1. Buy the cheapest pair
2. Get fake Gucci’s on eBay
3. Make sure you buy ones that have passed safety regulations
4. Spend as much as you possibly can to look the best

7. Which of these is a symptom of age related macular degeneration?

1. Pain
2. Loss of central vision
3. Loss of side vision
4. Forgetting to pick your grandchildren up from school

Here are the answers:

1. You should have your eyes checked at least every 2 years.

2. Green leafy, Kale is the best food to provide the nutrient Lutein, most needed by eyes to perform at their best.

3. If you smoke you’re up to 4 times more likely to develop age related macular degeneration.

4. Glaucoma has been called the sneak thief of sight. It sneaks up and gradually causes your vision to move inwards.

5. Go straight to your doctor or eye doctor.  Serious problems can be avoided by rapid action.

6. Always check the safety regulations before buying any sunglasses.  Buy a pair that blocks 100% of UV rays.

7. Loss of central vision is a sign of age related macular degeneration, which affects almost a third of the people above 75 years old.  It is a very tricky disease to detect and only your eye doctor can know for sure.

How did you score? How many questions did you get right?

1-2 You have probably been lucky to not get any serious eye diseases, or injuries.  But you should study up some more on eye health and learn how to take better care of your eyes.

3-4 You’re doing pretty well, but you also need to be a bit more diligent when it comes to the health of your eyes.  Check back on the answers you got wrong and read our other Simon Eye blogs for more useful data.

5-7 Congratulations! It looks like you’re doing very well and know your stuff.  Keep it up.  Knowledge is the first defense in the fight to keep our eyes healthy and happy.

Healthy Vision Longer

Whatever you do for a profession, whether you’re a carpenter, or a teacher, healthy vision is vital to your success.  The American Optometric Association says that on the job eye injury and strain is not only common, but cost billions in lost productivity each year.  These figures are startling considering that 90% of these workplace injuries could be prevented simply by wearing properly designed and fitted protective eyewear.

But worrying about something flying into your eyes is not the only thing you have to be worried about.  If you’re like the rest of America, you sit in front of a computer all day long, text on your Smart Phone, browse the web at home, etc.  You also need to protect your vision.  Computer Vision Syndrome is a relatively new word, which brings with it some painful and uncomfortable symptoms such as: dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and loss of focus.

The below recommendations will go a long way to ensuring you have great vision for a very long time:

1. Give it a rest. Make sure you apply the 20-20-20 rule.  That is, for every 20 minutes at your computer, make sure you look away to a distance 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

2. Increase the font size on your PDA. Most PDAs use tiny fonts that are very hard to see.

3. Make sure your monitor is set to the best resolution available.  This will offer greater clarity.  Also, adjust your monitors brightness to a level you feel is comfortable.

4. Look down.  The American Optometric Associates says that it’s easier for the eyes to focus on reading material that is below reading level.

And above all else, make sure you see your local Optometrist at least once a year to ensure your eyes are happy and healthy.

Computer Vision Syndrome